“Abruptio” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Today we have the poster and trailer for Abruptio. The poster hints at what’s to come. Get ready for something very different.
Abruptio trailer from Evan Marlowe on Vimeo.
Category: Movies
“You Nazty Spy!” (1940) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View
You Nazty Spy! (1940)
Director: Jules White
Writer: Clyde Bruckman, Felix Adler
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Don Beddoe, Dick Curtis, Charles Dorety, Ned Glass, Lorna Gray, John Rand and Al Thompson.
Tagline: A World of Laughs in the Wackiest Hit in This Gaga Globe!
The Plot…
Three weapons manufacturers in the country of Moronica realize that a war will increase their profits. They need a stupid dictator to start the war. They choose Moe to be their fall guy and Larry & Curly to be his field marshals. With these idiots as figureheads, what could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
You Nazty Spy was the first Hollywood film to satirize Adolph Hitler and Nazis. It was released nine months before Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. It’s interesting to consider that when You Nazty Spy was made, the US was two years away from entering World War II.
Moe Howard and Larry Fine named You Nazty Spy as their favorite of all the Stooges shorts. It was popular enough to spawn a Stooges sequel, I’ll Never Heil Again!
You Nazty Spy is a classic, full of slapstick, sight gags, and wordplay.
You Nazty Spy earns 5 of 5 stars.
RIP: Robert Blake
Robert Blake, the actor, writer and producer, died on March 9, 2023, from heart disease. He was 89. Robert Blake was born Michael James Vincenzo Gubitosi. In many of his early roles he was billed as Mickey Gubitosi.
Robert Blake began acting professionally when he was just a child. He was cast in 40 of The Little Rascals/Our Gang shorts. In 1942, he took the stage name Bobby Blake. Mr. Blake played Little Beaver in 23 films in The Red Ryder franchise. As a child Robert Blake also appeared in The Big Noise with Laurel and Hardy and The Treasure of Sierra Madre with Humphrey Bogart.
Robert Blake said that his childhood was an unhappy one. He was sexually and physically abused by his parents. At school he was bullied and got into many fights. At one point he ran away from home. Robert Blake was drafted into the Army. When he got out he couldn’t find work and developed a drug addiction. He focused on acting classes, and got his life back on track. He would work on television and in feature films for the remainder of his career.
Some of Robert Blake’s feature film appearances include: The Big Noise; The Horn Blows at Midnight; The Treasure of Sierra Madre; Pork Chop Hill; PT 109; The Greatest Story Ever Told; This Property is Condemned; In Cold Blood; Tell Them Willie Boy is Here; Electra Glide in Blue; Coast to Coast, Money Train and Lost Highway.
Some of Robert Blake’s television appearances include: The Cisco Kid (2 episodes); The Roy Rogers Show; Broken Arrow (3 episodes); One Step Beyond; Bat Masterson; Naked City (2 episodes); Wagon Train; Laramie; Ben Casey; Have Gun – Will Travel (3 episodes); The Richard Boone Show (25 episodes); Rawhide (2 episodes); The FBI (2 episodes); Baretta (82 episodes); Of Mice and Men; Blood Feud and Hell Town (tv movie and 9 episodes) and Heart of a Champion.
Robert Blake was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards as an Outstanding Lead Actor, winning in 1975 for his role in Baretta.
Sadly in 1999, Blake met and became involved with Bonnie Lee Blakely. She had nine previous marriages. Robert Blake became her tenth husband the following year. On May 4, 2001, the couple went to dinner. As they prepared to leave, Mr. Blake said that he realized he accidentally left his pistol in the restaurant. He went in to get it and Ms. Blakely waited in the car. When he returned to the vehicle, Ms. Blakely was dead, the result of a gunshot to the head. On April 22, 2002, Blake was charged for the murder of Ms. Blakely. On March 16, 2005, Blake was found not guilty of murder. Ms. Blakely’s children sued in civil court and won a judgment of $30 million, which was later reduced to $15 million. After this Robert Blake filed for bankruptcy and stayed out of the public eye for the remainder of his life.
I was a major Robert Blake fan. My favorite of his many roles was as Baretta. He made the series must-see tv. He is most famous for his role in Cold Blood, but fans shouldn’t sleep on Electra Glide in Blue. Any time Robert Blake was a guest on a tv talk show, you could be sure it was worth a view. Mr. Blake was witty, and projected a this is me, this is what you get vibe.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Blake’s family, friends and fans.
RIP: Bert I. Gordon
Bert I. Gordon died on March 8, 2023 at the age of 100. Mr. Gordon was a writer, director, producer, editor, special effects artist… perhaps it would be best to simply say, he was a filmmaker.
Bert I. Gordon had an interest in making films from an early age. He received a 16mm camera for his thirteenth birthday and began making home/fan movie. Mr. Gordon served in the air force during World War II. After the war he began making television commercials and editing films for television.
In 1955, Mr. Gordon co-wrote and directed his first feature film, King Dinosaur. He would go on to direct (and often serve as producer, special effects artist, writer/co-writer) on 23 additional films throughout his career. Most of Mr. Gordon’s films were in the horror or science fiction genres. Because his initials were BIG and many of his films dealt with giant monsters, Bert I. Gordon was nicknamed Mr. BIG.
Some of Bert I. Gordon’s best known films include: The Cyclops, The Amazing Colossal Man, Attack of the Puppet People, War of the Colossal Beast, The Spider, Village of the Giants, The Food of the Gods and The Empire of the Ants.
Bert I. Gordon’s films were and still are a staple of horror hosts and horror movie fans everywhere. My favorite of his films is The Amazing Colossal Man. If you’re a regular viewer of Svengoolie on MeTV, you’ll see several of Mr. Gordon’s films each year. What director wouldn’t love to have his movies in regular rotation? What an honor that these low budget films still attract huge audiences.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bert I. Gordon’s family, friends and fans.
“Seven Kings Must Die” – The Trailer is Here!
The Seven Kings Must Die trailer is here!
“Charlie Chan in the Secret Service” (1944) starring Sidney Toler & Mantan Moreland / Z-View
Charlie Chan in the Secret Service (1944)
Director: Phil Rosen
Writer: George Callahan based on characters created by Earl Derr Biggers
Stars: Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Sarah Edwards, George J. Lewis, Benson Fong and Gene Roth
Tagline: The screen’s most daring sleuth!
The Plot…
Charlie Chan (Toler), now a government agent, is assigned to investigate the murder of a scientist working on a new type of weapon for the war effort. The scientist was killed by an unknown method right before a dinner party he was hosting. The house was filled with guests who are now suspects. Chan is assisted by his #3 son, his #2 daughter and a limo driver named Birmingham Brown (Moreland) Chan has just met. The security of the United States rests with Charlie Chan solving this murder!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This is the first Charlie Chan to feature Mantan Moreland! It is also the first Charlie Chan film made by Monogram Pictures. Monogram’s films featured a lower budget, but this often adds to the charm of their Charlie Chan movies.
Charlie Chan in the Secret Service earns 4 of 5 stars.
Bruce Lee by Brett Brock!
Check out this cool Bruce Lee art by Brett Brock.
“To Catch a Killer” – The Trailer is Here!
I like the To Catch a Killer trailer. Deal me in.
Baltimore. New Year’s Eve. A talented but troubled police officer (Shailene Woodley) is recruited by the FBI’s chief investigator (Ben Mendelsohn) to help profile and track down a disturbed individual terrorizing the city.
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo
Directed by: Damián Szifron
Release Date: 4/21/23
“The Horror of Dracula” by Hans Woody!
Hans Woody created this cool alt poster of Christopher Lee in The Horror of Dracula. It’s available in two limited editions from Mondo!
“Jeepers Creepers: Reborn” (2022) / Z-View
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn (2022)
Director: Timo Vuorensola
Writer: Sean-Michael Argo
Stars: Sydney Craven, Imran Adams, Jarreau Benjamin, Georgia Goodman and Dee Wallace
Tagline: Death gives it life.
The Plot…
Laine (Craven) and her boyfriend Chase (Adams) are heading to the Horror Hound festival held outdoors in a remote wooded area. The festival is for fans of famous monsters, killers and all things horror. Chase is a believer in the paranormal. What they don’t know is an urban legend known as The Creeper is about to return. Every 23 years for 23 days, the creature comes alive. It then hunts and eats people. The Creeper has it’s sights set on the Horror Hound festival. Especially Laine.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I liked the original Jeepers Creepers. I thought Jeepers Creepers 2 was even better. Jeepers Creepers 3 was just okay. I went into Jeepers Creepers: Reborn hoping for some scary fun. Sadly, Jeepers Creepers: Reborn was worse than JC3.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn is set at a Horror festival and sadly the Creeper looks like a bad cosplay. If you don’t get the Creeper right in a Jeepers Creepers film, it’s just not going to work. I make it through most movies, but I gave up on this one. I just didn’t care about the characters and the Creeper just wasn’t as frightening as it should have been.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn earns 1 of 5 stars.
“It Ain’t Over” – The Trailer is Here!
While I’m not a regular viewer of baseball (by any stretch), I’d like to see It Ain’t Over.
Only in theaters in the New York Tri-State Area and Los Angeles May 12. Coming soon to a theater near you.
Directed By: Sean Mullin
Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra is one of baseball’s greatest. He amassed ten World Series rings, 3 MVP awards and 18 All-Star Game appearances. He caught the only perfect game in World Series history. Yet for many his deserved stature was overshadowed by his simply being himself and being recognized more for his unique personality, TV commercial appearances and unforgettable “Yogi-isms,” initially head-scratching philosophical nuggets that make a lot more sense the more you think about them. In telling the whole story, It Ain’t Over gives Berra his due in following the life of a savvy, commanding, bad-ball hitting catcher with a squat frame but also a D-Day veteran, loving husband and father and, yes, product endorser and originator (mostly) of his own brand of proverbs now ingrained into everyday life. Granddaughter Lindsay Berra tells his story along with his sons, former Yankee teammates, players he managed, writers, broadcasters, and admirers (such as Billy Crystal), plus photos and footage on and off the diamond. Berra famously said, “I’d be pretty dumb if I started being something I’m not,” and It Ain’t Over lovingly makes clear he stayed who he was for the benefit of baseball and everyone else.
“Duel” (1971) directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Dennis Weaver / Z-View
Duel (1971)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Richard Matheson
Stars: Dennis Weaver, Jacqueline Scott, Gene Dynarski, Lucille Benson, Tim Herbert, Charles Seel, Shirley O’Hara and Carey Loftin.
Tagline: A duel is about to begin between a man, a truck, and an open road. Where a simple battle of wits is now a matter of life and death.
The Plot…
David Mann (Weaver), a salesman, is having a bad day. He had an argument with his wife and she’s still ticked. He has another stop to make before heading home and it’s a long drive both ways. Mann’s day is about to get a lot worse when on a remote section of road an old tanker truck is creeping along. Mann finally gets a chance to pass and does. Almost immediately the tanker takes the lead back and then quickly slows down. As Mann tries to pass again, the trucker tries to force him off the road. The trucker makes it clear he plans to kill Mann. Miles out on a deserted road, what chance does Mann have?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Duel was the tv movie that put Steven Spielberg on the map. He had directed a some television episodes (Marcus Welby, Night Gallery, The Name of the Game, The Psychiatrist, Columbo and Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law) prior to helming Duel. The response to Spielberg’s tv movie was so good that Spielberg was brought back to shoot additional scenes to bring the film to feature length. Duel was given a release in Europe, Australia and even a limited US release.
Richard Matheson provides the screenplay based on his short story of the same name. Matheson’s resume contains so many winners and Duel is on that list.
Dennis Weaver does an excellent job of acting especially since he’s often the only person on screen. It’s interesting to note the number of other performers who actually appear in the film because it’s Weaver and the trucker from hell that we remember.
I watched Duel when it premiered. I was spending the night at my grandparents. My grandpa and I watched together. (We both liked it a lot.)
Duel earns 4 of 5 stars.
“Rocky II” – Overseas Poster
Here’s an overseas poster for Rocky II. It’s surprising how much the artist packed into it. I miss the days when movie posters were pieces of art.
Source: Brian Stooss
“Corny Casanovas” (1952) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View
Corny Casanovas (1952)
Director: Jules White
Writer: Felix Adler
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard and Connie Cezon.
Tagline: None
The Plot…
The boys decide to clean up their house (with their usual brand of success) just hours before they are all to be married. Once their house is tidy, they will all head off to get hitched to their future brides. Surprisingly none of our guys have seen the others’ fiancés. What they don’t know, but will soon learn is they are all expecting to marry the same woman! What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Surprisingly, Shemp and Larry give Moe the business more than they get it from him in this one!
Corny Casanovas earns 5 of 5 stars.
“Curse of the Werewolf” – Two Good Reasons To Share This Photo!
I have two very good reasons for sharing the above photo:
- I recently re-watched Curse of the Werewolf.
- The wolfman design from Curse of the Werewolf is still the best designed loup-garou ever.
I’ll bet you thought I was going to make a Mel Brooks joke, didn’t ya? If you’d like to see a bigger version of the photo, you can thanks to I Bought That Comic.
